Theme park Coverage

Carowinds opens for 2022 season with no COVID-19 restrictions

The 407-acre amusement park reopened Saturday for the 2022 season, but the weather forced the park to close early.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Families wait for reopening of theme parks

For plenty of families, summer vacation means Disney, or Six Flags or Carowinds. In this morning's Don't Waste your Money segment, Consumer reporter John Matarese shows users when those kind of parks could reopen.

Japan's Super Nintendo World theme park to open this summer

The theme park will be located in the city of Osaka. It will debut around the same time as this year's Olympic games in Tokyo, which start on July 24.

Universal Resort Costumed Character Made White Supremacy Sign, Family Says

Meeting the costumed characters of the animated movie franchise "Despicable Me" could have been a highlight of a family's visit to Universal Orlando Resort.

Neil Vigdor, New York Times

Carowinds

This summer, grab all the thrills with new roller coasters, classic family favorites, incredible food and live entertainment at Carowinds.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg announces plans for North America's fastest multi-launch roller coaster

Busch Gardens announced Tuesday that the all-new Pantheon rollercoaster will be the fastest multi-launch coaster in North America, reaching speeds up to 72.5 miles per hour.

Robbie Vaglio, WRAL.com intern

Never bring these items to Disney World or Disneyland

If you are heading to Disney, you need to know about some things you cannot bring there.

John Matarese, Don't Waste Your Money consumer reporter

Save big at theme parks this summer

Learn how to save big at theme parks this summer.

Secrets to save big at Disney and Universal this summer

A Disney and travel experts shares her best tips for saving big at Disney and Universal parks this summer.

John Matarese, Don't Waste Your Money consumer reporter

Carowinds vies for three national awards

Carowinds is in the running for three national awards, including best water park, best entertainment at an amusement park and best roller coaster.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL digital journalist

Tickets on sale for Land of Oz theme park, which reopens in June

Tickets are on sale now for North Carolina's Land of Oz theme park, which reopens in June.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL digital journalist

Land of Oz theme park announces June dates

North Carolina residents will have a chance to once again follow the Yellow Brick Road when the Land of Oz reopens this June.

Janine Bowen, WRAL.com editor

You will need a reservation to enter Galaxy's Edge when it opens at Disneyland

Guests will need to make a free reservation in order to be allowed into Disneyland's new "Star Wars" land when it opens in May.

What a thrill: New rides coming to local, national theme parks

Spring is around the corner, which means local theme parks will reopen with some new attractions.

Crews battle fire at abandoned Myrtle Beach theme park

Firefighters were called to a fire late Sunday night at the former Freestyle Music Park in Myrtle Beach.

WMBF News

John Williams to compose new music for Disney's 'Star Wars' land

Legendary composer John Williams will compose new music for the 'Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge' lands that will open at Disneyland and Disney World next year.

Six Flags challenges visitors to spend 30 hours in a coffin for $300

A Six Flags theme park in Missouri is challenging visitors to spend more than a day inside a coffin during an annual Halloween event.

Janine Bowen, WRAL.com editor

Carolinas' first double-launch coaster coming to Carowinds

The Copperhead Strike, opening spring 2019, follows a chase of racing getaway cars in farmland.

Deborah Strange, Digital journalist

Crows trained to pick up trash at French theme park

Six crows have been trained to pick up cigarettes and other small pieces of garbage at France's Puy du Fou park.

Carowinds teases 'biggest announcement' in park's history on social media

Something new is coming to Carowinds next year in what the theme park is calling the "biggest announcement" in the park's history.

Janine Bowen, WRAL.com editor

Kings Dominion bans cellphones on rollercoaster where woman was hit in head

Changes have been made after a Virginia woman was injured by a flying cellphone while on a rollercoaster at Kings Dominion.

N.C. Mountains Week: Tweetsie Railroad provides laid-back fun near Boone, Blowing Rock

Opened 61 years ago, in July 1957, this 200-acre amusement park features 14 rides, multiple daily live shows and historic steam train rides that take visitors along a three-mile look past an old-fashioned western town.

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor

Tweetsie Railroad

The amusement park between Boone and Blowing Rock opened in 1957 and continues to draw thousands of families each year.

'Toy Story Land' opens at Walt Disney World

Stationed in Hollywood Studios, the toy-filled area features beloved characters from the 'Toy Story' franchise. (Image courtesy @WaltDisneyWorld / Twitter)

'Toy Story Land' opens at Walt Disney World

Stationed in Hollywood Studios, the toy-filled area features beloved characters from the 'Toy Story' franchise.